Sarah Palin the Next RNC Chair?

Michael Steele is losing the support of the Republican Party. 27% of Republicans said he should step down as RNC Chair and 45% said they’re not sure about the fate of his career. Worst off Republicans in his own state don’t like him; only 42% of Maryland Republicans have favorable views of their former Lieutenant Governor. Republicans are notoriously allegiant which makes these numbers more dooming than they would be for a Democrat. It may be time for Steele to step down as chair.

There may be another candidate for the job. In many ways Sarah Palin has taken on leadership roles of the party. The media has featured her as a prominent conservative voice in politics. She has traveled the country endorsing candidates and helping them raise money. 59% of Republicans said her endorsement would make them more likely to vote for a candidate. She is widely popular amongst Republicans; 70% of Republicans have a favorable view of the former Governor. No other leading Republican has nearly as high of approval ratings.

But in a race for her party’s Presidential nomination, she falls squarely behind three other candidates, all less popular. This suggests that even though Republicans like Palin, they don’t have Presidential aspirations for their former Vice Presidential nominee.

However, when asked if Sarah Palin should become the Chair of the RNC, 44% of Republicans said yes and 29% said they were not sure. Republicans may think that Palin is a better campaigner than a Commander and Chief.

While she might make Republicans happier as the RNC Chair, it isn’t entirely clear that she’ll be good for rebuilding the Republican image. She still is a very divisive figure in America. 51% of Americans said an endorsement by Sarah Palin would make them less likely to vote for a candidate. But, currently, it may be in the Republicans’ better interest to work on reuniting the traditionally tightly woven party and Palin may be the woman for the job. She could be successful at bringing together Republicans and Tea Partiers.

It would undoubtedly be interesting to see Sarah Palin become the next RNC Chair.